FLEETWOOD MATCH PACK

25 March 2014

All you need to know ahead of tonight's game

Everything you need to know for tonight's game.

The Opposition: Accrington currently sit bottom of the league on four points, five points adrift of Northampton and Bury. However, the Reds are unbeaten in two matches after picking up draws at AFC Wimbledon and Oxford United. They have drawn three of their last four games and kept clean sheets in two of those matches.

In team news for them; Rob Atkinson’s hamstring problem is not as bad as first feared but he is unlikely to be available in the immediate future. Laurence Wilson and Michael Liddle are both eyeing returns but have only resumed light training. Luke Clark and James Caton remain sidelined and Kayode Odejayi serves the second match of his three match ban.

John Ward’s Comments: "I know from my experience of working in Lancashire, that a Tuesday night under floodlights, when it might be wet and windy, is a test of character, and their guys are used to that, so we are going to have to be very strong in that department to compete.

"They will look at us and say ‘this is a team going through a difficult time, who we can beat.’ We have got to make sure the attitude and approach we showed on Saturday, comes with us to Accrington.

"Any ability that we have got won’t show through unless we have a good attitude to start with. We have been saying that there is a win coming, and it might come when you don’t expect it.

"They are not winning and we have not won for a bit, so it will be the team that has the confidence and strength to have a go at the opposition."

"I am disappointed that we didn’t get the point on Saturday, as a point would have given everyone a big lift.

"The supporters were great, they backed the team to the hilt, and I think the team backed the supporters to the hilt, but we all went home with nothing. Even a point at home in those circumstances would have been a big lift."

Neither team has been in a great run of form, and the manager knows that his side are going to have to be strong to give themselves a chance of winning.

He said: "They will look at us and say ‘this is a team going through a difficult time, who we can beat.’ We have got to make sure the attitude and approach we showed on Saturday, comes with us to Accrington.

"Any ability that we have got won’t show through unless we have a good attitude to start with. We have been saying that there is a win coming, and it might come when you don’t expect it.

"They are not winning and we have not won for a bit, so it will be the team that has the confidence and strength to have a go at the opposition.

"If we can defend as well and be as strong as we have been in recent games away from home, perhaps we can spring ourselves on them a little bit. I don’t know how the game is going to pan out, but I do know I have a team with a really strong attitude to give us the chance of winning."

Opposition View: Manager James Beattie said: "“We have drawn three out of the last four and, if we keep turning in performances like that, we will get our first win and more will follow. I've seen teams that have been bottom of the league before and they don't carry themselves like that.

"If we show that commitment and desire we won't be at the bottom much longer. I believe in the set of lads who are in there."

Last Meeting: Bristol Rovers 0-1 Accrington Stanley. The last meeting between the two teams was in April here at the Memorial Stadium, the visitors took all three points thanks to a single goal from Lee Molyneaux.

Team News: The manager will be without David Clarkson who serves the first of his three match ban after picking up a red card against Wycombe on Saturday. The game will probably also come too soon for Matt Harrold and Lee Brown as they aim to return from injury.

Tickets: Tickets for Bristol Rovers' trip to Accrington Stanley will be available to buy on the night. Tickets in both terrace and seated areas of the ground are priced at £13 for adults, £8 for over 65s, £5 for U17s and students with a valid photo ID and £1 for accompanied U12s. The turnstiles on the night are cash only.

Live Commentary: Unable to make the trip to the Crown Ground tonight? Then you can follow all the action from 7.45pm as Bristol Rovers take on Accrington LIVE on Gas Player.

Betting: Rovers are 6/4 to take all three points against Accrington Stanley tonight. You can get 6/1 on Ryan Brunt to score the first goal. Bristol Rovers will benefit as you bet throughout the season, so make sure you open your Sky Bet account via www.skybet.com/bristolrovers

The Opposition: Accrington currently sit bottom of the league on four points, five points adrift of Northampton and Bury. However, the Reds are unbeaten in two matches after picking up draws at AFC Wimbledon and Oxford United. They have drawn three of their last four games and kept clean sheets in two of those matches.

In team news for them; Rob Atkinson’s hamstring problem is not as bad as first feared but he is unlikely to be available in the immediate future. Laurence Wilson and Michael Liddle are both eyeing returns but have only resumed light training. Luke Clark and James Caton remain sidelined and Kayode Odejayi serves the second match of his three match ban.

John Ward’s Comments: "I know from my experience of working in Lancashire, that a Tuesday night under floodlights, when it might be wet and windy, is a test of character, and their guys are used to that, so we are going to have to be very strong in that department to compete.

"They will look at us and say ‘this is a team going through a difficult time, who we can beat.’ We have got to make sure the attitude and approach we showed on Saturday, comes with us to Accrington.

"Any ability that we have got won’t show through unless we have a good attitude to start with. We have been saying that there is a win coming, and it might come when you don’t expect it.

"They are not winning and we have not won for a bit, so it will be the team that has the confidence and strength to have a go at the opposition."

"I am disappointed that we didn’t get the point on Saturday, as a point would have given everyone a big lift.

"The supporters were great, they backed the team to the hilt, and I think the team backed the supporters to the hilt, but we all went home with nothing. Even a point at home in those circumstances would have been a big lift."

Neither team has been in a great run of form, and the manager knows that his side are going to have to be strong to give themselves a chance of winning.

He said: "They will look at us and say ‘this is a team going through a difficult time, who we can beat.’ We have got to make sure the attitude and approach we showed on Saturday, comes with us to Accrington.

"Any ability that we have got won’t show through unless we have a good attitude to start with. We have been saying that there is a win coming, and it might come when you don’t expect it.

"They are not winning and we have not won for a bit, so it will be the team that has the confidence and strength to have a go at the opposition.

"If we can defend as well and be as strong as we have been in recent games away from home, perhaps we can spring ourselves on them a little bit. I don’t know how the game is going to pan out, but I do know I have a team with a really strong attitude to give us the chance of winning."

Opposition View: Manager James Beattie said: "“We have drawn three out of the last four and, if we keep turning in performances like that, we will get our first win and more will follow. I've seen teams that have been bottom of the league before and they don't carry themselves like that.

"If we show that commitment and desire we won't be at the bottom much longer. I believe in the set of lads who are in there."

Last Meeting: Bristol Rovers 0-1 Accrington Stanley. The last meeting between the two teams was in April here at the Memorial Stadium, the visitors took all three points thanks to a single goal from Lee Molyneaux.

Team News: The manager will be without David Clarkson who serves the first of his three match ban after picking up a red card against Wycombe on Saturday. The game will probably also come too soon for Matt Harrold and Lee Brown as they aim to return from injury.

Tickets: Tickets for Bristol Rovers' trip to Accrington Stanley will be available to buy on the night. Tickets in both terrace and seated areas of the ground are priced at £13 for adults, £8 for over 65s, £5 for U17s and students with a valid photo ID and £1 for accompanied U12s. The turnstiles on the night are cash only.

Live Commentary: Unable to make the trip to the Crown Ground tonight? Then you can follow all the action from 7.45pm as Bristol Rovers take on Accrington LIVE on Gas Player.

Betting: Rovers are 6/4 to take all three points against Accrington Stanley tonight. You can get 6/1 on Ryan Brunt to score the first goal. Bristol Rovers will benefit as you bet throughout the season, so make sure you open your Sky Bet account via www.skybet.com/bristolroveFor a limited period only you can get 2 months for the price of 1 with [nickname] Player. With live commentary of every single [club name] game, there's loads of live matches and video content available for just £4.49.

*The Opposition: In the league, York sit one place and two points above Rovers, but in the magic of the cup, anything can happen. The Minstermen come into tonight's game in similar form to Rovers, having taken four points from their last two games. Last Saturday, they came from behind to draw 2-2 with Cheltenham.

Rovers go into tonight's game looking to get back to winning ways and improve the away record which has seen us pick up just one league win on the road.

The Cod Army come into tonight's game on the back of a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Exeter - their first loss this month. The seaside team currently sit in fourth place in the league on 61 points and could close the gap on the top three with a win tonight.Opposition:

Town's top goalscorer David Ball could feature again tonight after returning from injury against Exeter on Saturday.

Manager Graham Alexander said: Opposition view:“We have to go out and show that we care for this club and that we care about our jobs.

"We’re still massively disappointed from the result against Exeter. We shot ourselves in the foot with set pieces, giving poor set pieces away and not defending them properly.
“Saturday proves there are no easy games. We have to earn the right to win games, including against Bristol Rovers.

“We have to pick a team which we think we will beat Bristol Rovers, regardless of Saturday’s result.”

John Ward's comments: “They have played very well and we are expecting them to play better than they did at the weekend.

“They conceded three goals off set plays, which is normally one of their strengths. On any one day things can come undone.

“We are expecting them to get back together and give us a tough fixture at their place.

“But if we go there and score first, that can cause one or two questions to be asked by the home supporters.

“It is one of those nights where we have to set our stall out and start as well as we can, and if we can start well and start strong, maybe we can cause one or two problems for them.”

Ticket News: Rovers have been given 400 tickets in the covered Percy Ronson Terrace, and 102 seats in Parkside Block G. Terrace tickets bought in advance are priced at £16 for adults, £11 for over 65s, £8 for U16s and free for U5s. Seats are priced at £18 for adults, £13 for over 65s, £10 for U16s and free for U5s. You have until midday today to buy your ticket in advance. Ticket prices will rise by £2 on the day of the game - expect U5s tickets, which remain free.

“But if they win they can go back into the play-off positions, and if we win we can go up five positions.

“There are massive incentives for everybody in this league at this moment in time.

“It is pretty exciting; but pretty nail-biting when you are involved with it, but at the same time it is tough league.

“We could get a march on other people tomorrow night if we can get our three points.”

Last Meeting: The last meeting between the two sides was at the Memorial Stadium back in October, with the visitors taking all three points. The only game between the two sides at Highbury so far took place last season, with Rovers running out 3-0 winners.

Bristol Rovers will benefit as you bet throughout the season, so make sure you open your Sky Bet account via www.skybet.com/bristolroversJoin the £5 Free Bet Club you get a FREE £5 BET every week - Place a £5 accumulator on any sport with combined odds of 5/1 or more before midnight Sunday. Your £5 free bet will then be credited by 7pm Monday for you to use on any sport.